A trade some may have questioned when it happened, Paul Cotter to the Devils in exchange for Alex Holtz and Akira Schmid.
Five games into the season, Cotter has quickly become a fan favorite as he has made an immediate impact. In five games, Cotter has scored four goals and added one assist while being bounced around from the third line to the fourth line. Two of his goals have been game-winning goals for the New Jersey Devils. Cotter has recorded a shot on goal in all but one game so far this season, an impressive statistic for someone on the bottom six.
The 24-year-old is already one-fifth of the way to his career-high in points, 25. He needs three more goals to tie his career-high in goals.
Not only has his offense excelled in a Devils sweater, but Cotter has also been used in defensive situations and has made all the right plays. His 6’2” frame has been seen all over the ice finishing his checks as he has accumulated 18 hits in five games, including eight hits against the Utah Hockey Club.
Cotter was a huge piece in the Devils’ 5-3 win over the Washington Capitals. He found the back of the net twice and added four total shots on net with an ice time of 13:10.
Cotter leads the Devils in goals and points.
He was drafted in 2018 with the 115th overall pick by Vegas. Cotter became a full time NHLer last season with the Vegas Golden Knights where he played 76 games.
The New Jersey Devils acquired him in a trade this past June hoping to add grit and size to the lineup. Cotter has done exactly that and has shown an offensive side of him the NHL has yet to see.
Watch Cotter and the Devils take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
